Hate Cold Weather?

3 reasons you should reconsider

Live in a cold-weather climate? Then you're well aware that we’ve got a few more weeks of icy temps to endure. But those bitter winds could be doing you more good than you’d think: Preliminary research shows they may lead to a longer life.

In a study published in a recent issue of Cell, researchers from the Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology at the University of Michigan discovered that worms exposed to cold temperatures demonstrate a genetic response that triggers longer life spans.

But what does worm research mean for us? Well, experts aren’t sure yet, but it might indicate that the same goes for humans: “It’s too early to say, but it is possible our research applies to humans, because the genetic pathway we identified is found in people,” says study author Shawn Xu, PhD. Earlier research also suggests a link between cold weather and longevity: Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute in 2006 found that reducing the core body temperature of mice extends their lifespan by up to 20%, and another recent study found that while mussels in Spain lived only 29 years, mussels in frigid Russian waters lived upwards of two centuries.

If that’s not enough to have you frolicking through the snow, consider that cold weather boasts plenty of other health benefits. Here are two more reasons to embrace (rather than endure) these frigid days:

Cold temps might curb pain. In one recent study, researchers in Finland studied 10 women as they took 20-second plunges into near-freezing water, and also partook in sessions of cold-body cryotherapy (exposing the body to ultra-low temps for brief periods). After being exposed to the cold, participants’ blood showed three times as much norepinephrine, a naturally occurring chemical that may help suppress pain.

Cold can pump up your workout. Studies have shown that exposure to freezing temperatures, even for short periods, can significantly increase your energy expenditure for hours afterward. Swim a few laps in cool water, or take a power walk in winter weather, to enjoy the perk.